Low back pain is a very common problem that is increasingly being treated surgically. This book aims to evaluate carefully the possible surgical approaches to low back pain, with detailed appraisal of the factors leading to their success or failure. It begins by explaining the scientific basis for surgery and considering the different diagnostic techniques that may be employed, thereby elucidating the surgical rationale, indications, and contraindications. The value of conservative options is also assessed to help the reader weigh the need for surgery. The various surgical modalities, including the most recent, are then fully described and evaluated with the aid of numerous illustrations. The book concludes with a chapter devoted to evidence-based analysis of the outcome of surgery in patients with low back pain. This book will be invaluable to orthopaedic and neurosurgeons, rheumatologists, neurologists, and all who are concerned with the effective treatment of this often debilitating condition.

Basics

The Biology of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Low Back Pain: Where Does the Pain Come From?
The Role of Cytokines in the Degenerative Spine
Psychosocial Aspects of Low Back Pain
Instability and Low Back Pain
Diagnosis
Dynamic MRI of the Spine
Assessment of Status of End Plate and Diffusion in Degenerative Disc Disease
The Role of Physician Extenders in a Low Back Pain Practice
Conservative Treatment
Natural Evolution of Nonspecific Low-Back Pain
Prescribing Conservative Treatment for Low Back Pain
Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Low back Pain and Back Schools
The Place of Chiropractic Care in the Treatment of Low Back Pain
Efficacy of IDET and PIRFT for the Treatment of Discogenic Low Back Pain
Lumbar Orthoses to Prevent and Treat Low-Back Pain
Surgical Treatment: Fusion
Indication for Lumbar Spinal Fusion
Evidence for Efficacy of Pedicle-Based Systems
Low Back Pain Is Not an Indication for Stabilisation in Patients Operated for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Hybrid Construct for DDD in the Lumbar Spine: The Compromise Between Fusion and Nonfusion
The Management of Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis
Transpedicular-Transdiscal-Transcorporal (TPDC)-Fixation
Facet Problems: A Surgical Indication?
"Myth" or "Fact"
Pelvic Girdle Pain: Indication for Surgery?
Blood Loss Management in Major Spine Surgery
Surgical Treatment: Other Technologies
How Disc Replacement Fits in the Treatment Algorithm for Degenerative Disc Disease: Refining Indications for Disc Replacement
Clinical Factors that May Affect Outcome in Lumbar Total Disc Replacement. What Is the Evidence?
A Prospective Randomized Comparison of Two Lumbar Total Disk Replacements
Limitations of Lumbar Disk Arthroplasty
Is Posterior DynamicStabilization an Option to Avoid Adjacent Segment Decompensation?
Immediate Biomechanical Effects of Lumbar Posterior Dynamic Stabilisation
Overview of Pedicle Screw-Based Posterior Dynamic Stabilization Systems
Semirigid Fixation System for the Lumbar Spine
Nonrigid Stabilization of the Spine - Problems Observed: Screw Loosening/Breakage/Implant Failure/Adjacent Segment Degeneration
Interspinous Implants: State of the Art and Research of Evidence
NuBac Disc Arthroplasty System: Rationale and Clinical Results
Outcomes
Outcome Assessment for Cost-Utility Evaluations: SF-6D vs. EQ-5D
Review of the Medical Evidence Regarding the Surgical Treatment of Low Back Pain.